institutions, arts, industry, and religion; at the same time every philanthropic man will wish these efforts of benevolence all possible success.

North America is politically divided into the Republics of the United States, Texas, Mexico, and Guatemala, which occupy the central and southern parts of the continent. The northern, the eastern, and central parts, contain the possessions of Great Britain; and the extreme north-western section those claimed by Russia. The following estimates of the areas in square miles, and the population of the respective divisions at the present time, is probably as near an approximation to the truth as circumstances will permit:

Of the population the white inhabitants are supposed to amount to 15 millions; the aborigines, or Indians, to 5 millions; and 5 millions 860 thousand are of negro and mixed races.

RUSSIAN POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA.

THAT part of North America claimed by Russia is a territory of considerable extent, and comprises the north-western portion of the continent, being that part of it adjacent to Asia; it is bounded north by the Arctic Ocean, east by the British possessions, from which it is separated by the 141° of longitude, west from Greenwich; south by the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Territory; west by Bhering's Strait and the Pacific Ocean. The coast seems to be chiefly alpine, in some parts rising into snow-capped summits, of which the most remarkable mountain is St. Elias; it is probably a volcanic peak, and is elevated to the height of 17,850 feet above the level of the sea, and is said to be visible 50 leagues from the coast. In this region there are computed to be 1000 white inhabitants, who are mostly traders; the savages are estimated at near 50,000; they barter the furs obtained in hunting with the Russians, for fire-arms, beads, tobacco, and other articles. The Russians have a number of factories, or trading establishments, on various parts of the coast: the principal of these are at Sitcha, or New Archangel, Kodiak, and Oonalaska.

The Aleoutian Islands may be considered as belonging to this region; they form a long and numerous group, extending westward from the Peninsula of Aliaska to Kamtschatka. They appear to be a continuation of the lofty volcanic ranges which traverse the opposite regions of the two continents. These islands are inhabited by a race sharing, in a measure, the features and aspect of the Mongols and Esquimaux. Considered as savages, they are mild in their manners and deportment, and display a considerable degree of industry and ingenuity: they dwell in large subterranean mansions, or rather villages, partitioned into numerous apartments, and containing from 50 to 100, or even 150 inhabitants. These abodes, covered with turf, are almost on a level with the surrounding country, from which they are scarcely to be distinguished.

Sitcha, or New Archangel, on one of the islands belonging to the Archipelago of George III. may be considered the capital of the territories of Russia on this continent; it is a village of about 1000 inhabitants, the houses of which, including the fortifications and public buildings, are built of wood, and are neat and well kept. The management of the trade at this and the other ports, has been injudiciously vested by the Russian government in an exclusive company, resident at

Irkoutsk. The grand object of their trade is to collect the skins of the sea-otter and other animals, for the market of Canton, where they are in very extensive demand. The annual value of the furs drawn by Russia from her North American possessions has been estimated at $200,000.

BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE possessions of Great Britain in North America are an assemblage of vast ill-defined and straggling territories, the remnant of that mighty empire of which the great revolution deprived her. Even in their present dismembered state, however, their extent and capabilities might, and probably will, enable them one day to surpass some of the greatest of the now existing European monarchies.

This country, taken in its full extent, is bounded north by the Arctic Sea, east by the Atlantic Ocean and Baffin's Bay, south by the United States and the Atlantic Ocean, and west by the American possessions of Russia. Its area is equal to about that of the United States. About one tenth part only of this vast territory is as yet settled by a civilized population. The actual occupation by white settlers extends along the northern, and, in the lower part of its course, the southern, bank of the St. Lawrence, the northern shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and, in part, the eastern coasts of Lake Huron: it reaches, though only in some instances, thirty or forty miles into the interior. The Company which enjoys the exclusive trade of Hudson's Bay, maintains several forts on its western shore; they have also small forts on the leading lakes and rivers of the interior, called Houses, where they are secure against the attack of the Indians scattered over the expanse of these desolate wilds, and can form a store of the articles necessary for the fur trade. Beyond this occupancy they have not attempted to exercise any jurisdiction, nor, as has lately appeared, could a peaceable colony form itself without imminent danger from these rude tenants of the wild.

The climate is very severe, much exceeding what is felt under the same latitude in the old continent. Lower Canada for six and Upper Canada for five months of the year have a mean temperature below the freezing point, and are buried in perpetual snow; yet after that period the sun breaks out with such force, that large crops of the most valuable grain can be raised on the great extent of fertile land of which the territory consists. Upper Canada is finely watered, clad with immense forests of valuable timber, and contains about ten millions of acres capable of culture. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are well wooded countries, but less fertile; and though the winters are less severe, the heavy fogs that prevail for a great part of the year are still more disagreeable than the frosts and snows of Canada.

The river St. Lawrence is the principal feature of this region, and one of the noblest river channels in the world. It is difficult to say where it begins. It has been held to issue from Lake Superior, a vast body of water, fed by about.fifty streams, of which the St. Louis and Grand Portage Rivers are the principal; but, in fact, the lakes are merely connected by short canals, through which the surplus waters of one are poured into the other. These canals bear the local names of St. Clair, Detroit, Niagara, &c. The last is distinguished by its falls, the most magnificent in the world. From Lake Ontario to Montreal the river is broken by a succession of rocks, cataracts, and rapids, which render navigation very dangerous. It is after passing Montreal that it rolls in full grandeur in a deep continuous channel, conveying large ships and rafts down to Quebec. The navigation is blocked up for half the year by the ice, which even in spring encumbers it for some weeks with floating fragments.

The other rivers of Lower Canada are its tributaries. On the north are the Utawas and the Saguenay, large navigable rivers flowing through a region little known: the former is supposed to have a course of about 600 miles, but its navigation is much interrupted by rapids; the latter is remarkable for its great depth

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and width, and is navigable for 90 miles to its falls; for the distance of about 50 miles it has the appearance of a long mountain lake. The St. Maurice is also a considerable stream from the north, and the Montmorency, which falls into the St. Lawrence, is celebrated for its beautiful cataract, which pours a large volume of water over a precipitous ledge. On the south are the St. Francis; the Chaudiere, with a fine cascade rushing down a precipice 100 feet in height; and the Sorelle or Richelieu, the outlet of Lake Champlain.

The Thames, flowing into Lake St. Clair, and the Ouse, are the principal rivers of Upper Canada. The St. John, which rises in Maine, is navigable 80 miles by sea vessels, but its course is much broken by falls and rapids. The Miramichi is the other principal river of New Brunswick.

Lakes, in Canada, are on a greater scale than in any other part of the world; and the united chain forms a vast inland sea of fresh water. The largest of these, and the largest fresh-water lake in the world, is Lake Superior, which is 420 miles in length by 170 in breadth; having a circuit of 1500 miles, and covering an area of 35,000 square miles. It discharges its waters through the river or Strait of St. Mary, 50 miles long, into Lake Huron, which likewise receives those of Lake Michigan. Lake Huron is 280 miles in length, and 90 in breadth, exclusive of the large bay on the north-eastern shore, called Georgian Bay, which is about 80 miles in length by 50 in breadth. An outlet, called the river St. Clair, expands, after a course of 40 miles, into a lake of the same name, 24 miles in length, and 30 in breadth, which again contracts, and enters Lake Erie under the name of the river Detroit, 25 miles in length. Lake Erie, the next link in this great chain, is 270 miles in length, by from 25 to 50 in breadth. The river Niagara, 36 miles long, carries its surplus waters over a perpendicular precipice 165 feet high, into Lake Ontario, which is about 190 miles in length, by 40 in breadth. The surface of Lake Superior is about 625 feet above the level of the sea; its medium depth 900 feet; the descent to Lake Huron is by the Sault or Fall of St. Mary 23 feet, and by rapids and the gradual descent of the river, 21 feet, giving 580 feet for the elevation of the surface of Lake Huron, whose depth is equal to that of Lake Superior. Lake Erie is much shallower, not exceeding a mean of 120 feet, and having its surface 560 feet above high water, while Lake Ontario has a depth of 500 feet, and its surface is 330 lower than that of Lake Erie. The waters of these lakes are clear and potable, and they abound with fish, among which are trout, weighing from 75 to 100 pounds, sturgeon, white fish, pike, bass, &c. They are navigable by large vessels, and a great number of steamboats navigate their waters. Lake Simcoe, which is connected with Lake Huron, is already disturbed by the plash of the steamboat. Lake Nepissing is a considerable body of water, which a rapid and broken stream unites with Lake Huron. In the interior, are several smaller lakes, of which the principal is the Lake of the Woods, whose winding shores are 300 miles in circumference. Farther to the north-west is Lake Winnipeek. The name signifies muddy, and is descriptive of its waters. There is a water communication with Lake Superior by the rivers Winnipeek and La Pluie. Still farther to the north-west, a number of lakes extend nearly in a line, at various distances from each other, connected by a water communication, except in two or three cases, where portages or carrying-places intervene. This is the principal navigable route to the waters of the Arctic Sea, and is much frequented by the fur traders during the short period of summer in these regions.

The principal divisions of British America are New Britain, with the provinces of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward's Island, and Newfoundland.

The constitution of government for the provinces has been modelled on that of the mother country. Each province has a governor and a legislative council appointed by the crown, and a house of commons or representatives chosen by the inhabitants, upon moderate qualifications. The government of Canada was administered by a governor and council appointed by the crown, until 1791, when the constitutional act divided the country into two provinces, and established a constitutional government for each. In Lower Canada, the legislative council is

appointed for life, and consists of 34 members; and the house of assembly, elected for four years, is composed of 88 members. In Upper Canada, the chief executive officer is styled lieutenant-governor: the legislative council consists of 17 members, and the house of assembly of 50. Bills passed by the two houses become a law when agreed to by the governor; though, in certain cases, the royal sanction is required, and in others reference must be had to the imperial parliament. The supreme legislative authority is vested therefore in the king and the two houses of the British Parliament, limited, however, by their own acts. The act 31 Geo. III. ch. 13, declares that no taxes shall be imposed on the colonies but for the regulation of trade, and that the proceeds of such taxes shall be applied for the use of the province, in such manner as shall be directed by any laws made by his Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council, and the House of Assembly. This point is one of the chief causes of the dissatisfaction in the Canadas; the colonists demanding the exclusive control over the money raised within the provinces. In Lower Canada trial by jury is universal in criminal cases, but a very small proportion of the civil cases are tried in this manner. Law proceedings are in French and English; and it is not unusual to have half the jury English and the other half French. In Upper Canada the laws are wholly English, as is also the case in the other provinces. The constitutions of the other provinces also resemble that of Upper Canada.

The revenue of Lower Canada is about $800,000; and of Upper Canada $500,000. These sums form the public resources of the provinces, and are employed in the current expenses of the provincial governments. Upper Canada has a debt of between three and four millions, contracted for public work, roads, canals, &c. The expenditure of the British government, out of the imperial revenues, was for the two provinces, in 1834, £263,250; of which £5893 was for civil, and the remainder for military purposes; and for the other four North American colonies, for the same year, £162,312; of which all but £20,435 was for naval and military purposes: their revenue, during the same period, amounted to £186,680.

The natural resources of British America are more ample than would be inferred from its dreary aspect and the vast snows under which it is buried. Canada has a very fertile soil, especially in its upper colony; and though it be free from snow only during five months of the year, the heat of that period is sufficient to ripen the most valuable kinds of grain. The vast uncleared tracts are covered with excellent timber. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are less fertile, yet they contain much good land, and are well timbered. Newfoundland has on its shores the most valuable cod-fishery in the world. Even the immense northern wastes are covered with a profusion of animals, noted for their rich and beautiful furs, which form the foundation of an extensive and valuable trade. The commerce of British America is of vast importance: the fur trade, the original object for opening an intercourse with this part of the world, was carried on in the first place, chiefly from the shores of Hudson's Bay; but it was there injudiciously placed in the hands of an exclusive company, which greatly diminished its activity.

Upwards of forty years ago some enterprising merchants of Montreal established the North-west Company, who, employing numerous and active agents, carried on their business with spirit and enterprise. The eager rivalry of the two companies, operating in regions beyond the pale of law, gave birth to many deeds of fraud and violence: within these few years, however, an union has healed the deadly enmity between them, and, by acting in concert, they have determined to diminish the issue of ardent spirits, and even to adopt every practical means for the moral and religious improvement of the Indians. The furs exported from Quebec, for 1831, amounted in value to £211,000.

The timber trade, the value of which thirty years ago did not exceed £32,000, has now surpassed all others in magnitude. The timber is obtained from the immense forests on the shores of the great interior lakes. The trees are cut down during the winter by American axemen, who are peculiarly skilful; and the business is attended with great hardship, both from the work itself, and the incle

The trees, when felled, are put together into immense mency of the season. rafts, which are floated down the St. Lawrence to Quebec. The Canada merchants lately estimated the capital invested in this business at £1,250,000. It is also carried on to a great extent from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and even from Cape Breton. The exports to all quarters amounted, in 1831, to £1,038,000 sterling: other articles, the produce chiefly of agriculture, amounted, in the year 1831, to £656,584.

The The shipping employed between England and her American colonies was, in 1829, inwards 1609, of 431,124 tons; outwards 1652 ships, of 418,142 tons. value of the imports into Britain, in 1829, was £1,088,622; of the exports £2,064,126. To the West Indies the colonics export, of their timber and agricultural staples, to a considerable amount, and receive in return the well known produce of these Islands; and with the United States Canada holds a great intercourse across Lake Champlain, sending mostly salt and peltries; and in return taking chiefly tea, tobacco, and other luxuries, clandestinely, which the strict colonial rules would require her to receive from the mother country.

The fishery is pursued upon these shores, to an extent not surpassed anywhere. else upon the globe. The rich supply of cod in the Newfoundland banks is The English wholly unparalleled: although all the nations of Europe have been lading cargoes of fish for centuries, no sensible diminution of them has been felt. employ about 40,000 tons of shipping, and 3000 men, in this fishery: in 1831, they exported in fish, oil, and seal-skins, to the amount of £834,182; and the Americans and French, in the same year, exported, the latter, to upwards of £257,250 in value, and the former, to the amount of £425,000.

The interior communications of Canada are almost solely by the river St. Lawrence and the lakes, which open a very extensive navigation into the country. It is seriously obstructed, however, between Montreal and Lake Ontario, where a series of rapids occur, over which only canoes can shoot, and all heavy goods must be landed and shipped. Great exertions have been made to improve, by canals, the interior communications of Canada. The chief object has been to obviate the continual series of obstructions in the navigation of the St. Lawrence River, above Montreal. One canal has been constructed from that city to La Chine, a distance of eight miles, at an expense of £130,000: another is the Greenville canal, eight miles long, constructed to avoid certain obstructions in the navigation of the Lower Utawas River. The principal operation, however, is the Rideau canal, reaching from the Utawas River to Kingston. It is 135 miles long, connecting together a chain of lakes, which admit of steam navigation; and the dimensions are such as to allow vessels of from 100 to 125 tons to pass. The estimated expense was £486,000. The enterprise of private individuals has constructed the Welland canal; which, at an expense of £270,000, has united the lakes Ontario and Erie. It is 42 miles long, and is more capacious than the New York canal: it will allow vessels of 125 tons to pass through. The Chambly canal opens a navigation, by the Sorelle River, from Lake Champlain to the St. Lawrence.

Population.

2,360,000

1,360,000